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A half-day dedicated to sparkling wines on the west-facing slopes above Lake Okanagan. Small-group tastings, lakeside terraces, and an educational focus on méthode traditionnelle make this a standout Penticton escape.
A half-day dedicated to sparkling wines on the west-facing slopes above Lake Okanagan. Small-group tastings, lakeside terraces, and an educational focus on méthode traditionnelle make this a standout Penticton escape.
Book with Bubbles Don't Count
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Bubbles Don't Count · Penticton, British Columbia
On the sun-steeped slope above Lake Okanagan lies the Naramata Bench, a narrow band of vineyards and tasting rooms that define this sparkling-focused day tour. The Naramata Bench Tour, run by Bubbles Don't Count as part of Okanagan Sparkling Wine Tours, spends 5.5 hours moving small groups across west-facing benches, stopping at terraces and cellars where premium méthode traditionnelle and pet-nat are poured alongside postcard lake views. We pick you up and drop you off anywhere within Penticton, and the Bubble Bus begins Penticton pick-ups at 10:30am; expect a confirmed pickup time before your tour.
This outing is built around place: glacially-sculpted benches and well-drained soils that encourage bright acidity in grapes, vines that march across slopes lined with scrub oak and orchard trees, and a skyline dominated by intermittent bluffs and Lake Okanagan’s deep blue. Key features include elevated vineyard terraces, tasting-room patios that frame the lake, and cellar spaces where sparkling wine undergoes secondary fermentation and disgorgement. It’s an intimate, bubbles-first experience ideal for sparkling-curious guests and wine lovers alike; tours are designed for small groups—ideal for four, maximum six—and require guests be 19+.
Expect three focused winery visits chosen for their sparkling programs: producers ranging from traditional, bottle-fermented cuvées to experimental pet-nats and méthode ancestrale. Each stop emphasizes technique and terroir: soil textures, ridge exposures, and microclimates that coax acidity and minerality into the finished wine. Hosts will guide you through tasting notes, production details, and pairing ideas while you enjoy lake-facing panoramas.
Practical notes matter: full balance is due at booking, tours require a minimum of two guests to operate, and operators will substitute wineries if a property is closed for private events. Bring layered clothing for wind off the lake and comfortable shoes for short walks around vineyards. The tour is accessible from Penticton, making it a perfect half-day escape from the town’s cafes and beaches.
Why this tour stands out: it isolates sparkling wine—often a footnote on mixed wine tours—and gives those bottles center stage. By concentrating on bubbles in a small-group format and delivering lakeside vineyard scenery, the Naramata Bench Tour creates a deliberately joyful, educational way to experience a defining facet of the Okanagan valley. Along the way your guide will outline winemaking steps unique to sparkling production—tirage, lees aging, riddling—so even novice drinkers leave with concrete tasting vocabulary. Small bites are not included on most departures, so plan a light lunch or reserve a winery food pairing if available. Because groups max at six, conversation stays personal and questions are welcome; the pace balances walking around plots with relaxed tasting time. Book early in summer and harvest-adjacent fall weekends, when demand peaks and cellar doors may fill quickly. Reserve spots early.
easy.
5.5 hours.
Light activity: you should be comfortable standing, walking short vineyard paths, and climbing a few cellar steps.
Guests must be 19 or older to participate in this tour.
The Bubble Bus picks up and drops off anywhere within Penticton; pickups begin at 10:30am and you’ll get a confirmed time before the tour.
Expect three curated winery visits focused on sparkling wine; transportation and guided tastings are included.
Most departures do not include food—bring snacks or reserve a winery pairing or lunch separately if desired.
Tours require a minimum of two guests to operate; if the minimum isn’t met, the operator will contact you to reschedule or refund. Full balance is due at booking.
Accessibility varies by winery; contact the operator in advance to discuss specific mobility needs and pick-up logistics.
The Naramata Bench is a glacially-formed bench above Lake Okanagan that long supported orchards and now supports a dense concentration of vineyards and cellar doors.
Spit if you must and recycle glass where provided; support small producers and minimize single-use plastics to reduce waste in this delicate lakeside landscape.
Bubbles Don't Count is a Penticton, British Columbia–based tour operator specializing in curated sparkling wine experiences aboard The Bubbles Bus. The business offers guided, luxury tasting tours focused on the Okanagan’s sparkling wine producers and scenic vineyard regions. The operator runs two primary itineraries: the Naramata Bench Tour and the Summerland Tour. The Naramata Bench Tour features tastings at notable cellar doors including Ruby Blues and Evolve Sparkling House, pairing vibrant short-form tastings with panoramic vineyard views. The Summerland Tour highlights wineries such as Lunessence, Dirty Laundry, and Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, combining lakeside and hillside settings with carefully arranged tasting experiences. Bubbles Don't Count coordinates tasting appointments, provides seamless transport on The Bubbles Bus, and presents curated tasting sequences to showcase each winery’s distinct style. The business emphasizes convenience and safety by managing logistics so guests can focus on sampling sparkling wines and enjoying the scenery. Promotional materials and tour summaries list partner winery names and itinerary highlights to help prospective guests make informed choices. Bubbles Don't Count serves visitors to the Okanagan region and residents based in Penticton who seek organized, comfortable, and locally focused sparkling wine tasting days.
Book with Bubbles Don't Count